It’s easy to buy just about anything online these days, even insurance. You can shop at any time of day and, in some cases, get a quote instantly. You might even save some money. But comparing prices online does not always result in the best deal.

Consumers shopping online are often unprepared to provide the data typically required to get an accurate auto insurance quote. In addition to expected questions about driving history and vehicles driven, there are many other considerations, such as:

• How much coverage is right for each individual?
• What are the differences between insurance products?
• How can savings be maximized on a policy?
• How do job, income, family, home, business or possessions influence the amount of auto insurance required?
• How does auto insurance affect eligibility, discounts and pricing on home or umbrella insurance?

Finding the answers to these questions can be time consuming and confusing. A distant call center representative can provide some guidance, but may not know the details of local regulations or fully understand an individual’s situation.

This is where an independent insurance agent becomes essential. Independent agents are local businesses located in the community where insurance shoppers live and work. Independent insurance agents offer the convenience of one-stop shopping for a full range of insurance products – auto, home, boat, business, life and disability – since they typically represent multiple insurance companies and products.

Independent insurance agents also bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and helpful resources to selecting the correct level of insurance for each customer’s individual needs. They are licensed under rules set by the state(s) in which they do business, and are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their knowledge of industry trends and regulations.

In Part 2 of this post, we’ll share more reasons why you should consider an independent agent when choosing insurance. Stay tuned…